Refrigeration devices for individual glass vessels



Nov. 15, 1960 F. w. MCDONALD REFRIGERATION DEVICES FOR INDIVIDUAL GLASSVESSELS Filed Oct. 3, 1957 2 Sheets-Sheet l he ILZZU 2" Freaem'ak W.MaDozm/d Nov. 15, 1960 F. w. McDoNALD 2,959,941

REFRIGERATION DEVICES FOR INDIVIDUAL GLASS VESSELS Filed Oct. 3. 1957 2Sheets-Sheet 2 be 22.1: 2- Ed'flC/t W McDonald [33% yw a-E figs UnitedStates fl loj REFRIGERATION DEVICES FQR INDIVIDUAL GLASS VESSELSFrederick W. McDonald, Elmhurst, Ill., assignor to A &

W Products Incorporated, Santa Monica, Cal.f., a corporation ofCalifornia Filed Oct. 3, 1957, Ser. No. 688,020

Claims. (Cl. 62-458) The present invention relates to improvements inmeans for individually refrigerating vessels, and while adaptable forvarious types of vessels and containers, such as laboratory beakers,test tubes, and the like, it is especially suitable for individuallyrefrigerating beverage glasses.

Pleasure incidental to drinking of various beverages, of which beer,lemonade, root beer, cola drinks, wines, and cocktails are but a fewexamples, is enhanced for many persons by serving of the beverage in achilled glass. Heretofore, however, it has been customary to attain thisdesirable end by placing the glasses inside of a refrigerated cabinet bythe tray-load. Serving of parties or banquets may be thus accommodated,but it is not a satisfactory way to supply chilled glasses forindividual customer or drinker demands sporadically or at intermittentintervals.

It is therefore an important object of the present invention to providenovel apparatus by which drinking glasses or other types of vessels areadapted to be individually refrigerated.

Another object of the present invention is to provide apparatus by whicha plurality of vessels are adapted to be individually refrigerated sothat even though use of the vessels may be sporadic, a continuous supplyof thoroughly chilled vessels is available without necessitating openingof any refrigerator cabinet or warming of the remaining or spare chilledvessels.

A'further object of the invention is to provide apparatus forindividually chilling vessels from within inan efficient, thorough andeconomical manner.

Still another object of the invention is to provide refrigeratingapparatus which makes available immediately at hand a supply of chilledglasses which are maintained in the desired chilled state continuouslyuntil removed from the apparatus for use.

' Yet another object of the invention is to provide ap-, paratus whichwill serve the combined functions of a sanitary rack and a refrigerationdevice. 7

A still further object of the invention is to provide apparatus whichwill refrigerate glasses from within without the use of an expendablemedium such as carbon dioxide or ice, and without permitting theinterior of the vessel orglass to frost.

Other objects, features and advantages of the present invention will bereadily apparent from the following detailed description of severalpreferred embodiments thereof taken in conjunction with the accompanyingdrawings, in which:

Figure 1 is a top plan view of apparatus for individual refrigeration ofvessels according to the present invention;

. Figure 2 is an enlarged sectional view taken along line IIII of Figure1, and showing a drinking vessel received thereon;

Figure 3' is an enlarged sectional view, partly in elevation, takenalong line IIIIII of Figure 1;

Figure 4 is a sectional view generally similar to Figure 2; of anotherembodiment of the instant invention; and

Figure 5 is a fragmentary view, partly in section, of

still another embodiment of the instant invention."

As shown in the drawings: The principles of this invention areparticularly useful when embodied in a refrigeration assembly such asillustrated in Figure 1, generally indicated by the numeral 10. Theassembly 10 includes a base 11 having a perimetral rim 12 and aplurality .of upwardly directed arbors 13. Each of the arbors 13communicates interiorly of the base 11 with a refrigerant duct system14, including a header 14a and a collector 14b, all shown in dashedlines, which in turn communicates with a source of refrigerant 15.

' Referring now to Figures 2 and 3, it can be seen that the base 11comprises a shell defined by a plate 16 dis: posed to support the entireassembly 10 and a pair of plates 17 and 18. Intermediate the pair ofplates 17, 18 and the lower plate 16, there is an insulative fill 19which is preferable, but which is not essential for operativemess.

The upper surface of the upper plate 18, together with the rim 12,define a tray for supporting and refrigerating a pluralityof vessels,such as the vessel V shown in Fig ure 2. T 0 that end, the upper plate18 has a plurality of refrigerating elements or units which comprise thearbor-like projections or arbors 13.1

Referring to Figure 2, the arbor 13 comprises heat conductivematerialwhich is an integral part of the plate 18. While this plate has beenillustrated as comprising metal,

it is to be understood that any other heat conductive ma terialpossessing the requisite structural propertiesmay' also be used to thisend. Thus the use of heat conductive plastic for this member is withinthe contemplationof my invention. The arbor 13 has. an outer. wall orexter nal surface which has a configuration.correspondingcomplementarilyto the inner wall or chamber of the vessel Vi Preferably, there is avery slight. air-gap between the outer Wall of the arbor 13 and theinner wall of the'ves'sel' V; so that not only are variations in vesseldiameter'compensated for, but also a slight clearance is provided topreclude or to minimize the formation of a bond there between in theevent that the vesselV be moist when it is slidably mated with thevessel receiving portion jor arbor 13. It is apparent that the greatestheat-transfer efficiency can beachieved when the external wall of thearbor 13 and the inner wall of the vessel 'V are'closely' p the plates17. At the point where the supply line 22 com: 7

adjacent to each other. However, it is to be'understood thatadvantageous structures maybe obtained even where this is notnecessarily the case. j

Preferably, the axial length of the arbor 13 is such that the mouth orlips of the vessel V are spaced from the horizontal portion of the upperplate 18. Thus, assurance is provided that the lips of the vessel willnot be contaminated by any fluid which may be disposed within the tray.I

The plate 18 is sealed to the plate 17 around the arbor 13, so thatthere is produced between the plates 17 and 18 a sealed hollow chamber.4 If desired, and preferably so, the plate 17 is disposed in spacedcomplementary return line 23 each communicate with the various arbors13,

such communication in this embodiment being in parallel relationship, asbetween the various arbors 13; It isto be understood, however, thataseries or a series-parallel line arrangement may also be used toadvantage Thus the lines 22 and 23 are defined by formations in onelofmunicates with the chamber 21, the plates 17.a'n'd 18'joiut$ 1y definean expansion orifice 23a for refrigerant gas received from line 22.

Accordingly, the chamber 21 communicates through the return line 23 withthe low pressure side of the refrigeration unit 15, and communicates viathe orifice 23:: with the supply line 22 from the-high pressure side ofthe refrigerant source 15. As such, the interior ofthe arbor 13 may betermed to be an evaporator having a refrigerant passage or chamberimmediately below and cextensive with the vessel receiving portion 13.

Either the portion 13, of the plate 18, or the horizontal portionsadjacent thereto may be provided with means for spacing the lips of thevessel V from the upper base surface 18. To this end, a series of fournodes 25, 25, 26 and .27 has been provided integral with the plate 18.The nodes 25, 25 serve the purpose then of spacing the lip of the glassor vessel from the plate 18 and the interior of the vessel V veryslightly from the exterior of the arbor 13. This latter spacing isnecessary to preclude binding between a previously warm close-fittingglass or vessel and a cold arbor, due to thermal shrinkage of the glassor vessel. The nodes also serve to limit the extent to which the vesselmay be rocked with respect to the arbor. In addition, the interior ofthe node 27 also serves as part of the passage connecting the supplyline 22 with the chamber 21, and partly defines the expansion orifice23a. The node 26, being hollow, serves also .to define the connectionbetween the chamber 21 and the return line 23.

Thus the nodes 26 and 27 along with the refrigerant lines 22 and 23comprise means for connecting the refrigerating means or evaporatorstogether operatively, and in parallel relationship to each other, with arefrigerant source. Such means are supported by the base, and in thisinstance comprise a part of it.

Accordingly, it can be seen that means has been provided for permanentlyand fixedly disposing and confining immediately adjacent the outersurface of the arbor and within the arbor, a heat transfer apparatus forrefrigerating the arborfrom within, and comprising means for conductingfluid refrigerant therethrough in a closed path sealed from theatmosphere, to thereby enable transfer of heat from the inner walls ofthe vessel supported thereby.

When refrigerant is circulated through the line 22 the arbor13 is cooledfrom within at a point immediately adjacent to a relatively warmerportion of the vessel V, whereby heat is transferred from the vessel Vto the arbor 13, thereby chilling or refrigerating the vessel V. Sincethe arbor is relatively received within the chamber of the vessel V,closing the same at its month, there is no opportunity for anyappreciable amount of moisture laden air to reach the interior of thevessel, and therefore even though the vessel V is refrigerated, therewill be no opportunity for moist air to come in contact with suchinternal cold portion, whereby the deposition of a water condensate,such as frost, is precluded.

Referring now to Figure 4, a slightly different embodiment of theinstant invention is illustrated. In this embodiment, the shell includesthe same lower plate 16 and a pair of upper plates 30 and 31, the plate30 being uppermost. The plate 30 is provided with an upstanding arborportion 32, generally similar to the portion 13, for being relativelyreceived within the chamber of a vessel. Preferably, the arbor portion32 includes a plurality of small nodes 32a which slightly space theinner wall of the vessel V from the outer surface of the arbor portion32 to prevent any water film on the glass from forming a bond byfreezing. As before, the shell is filled with insulated material 19 ifdesired. Within the shell, and more particularly within the insulativefill 19, there is disposed a refrigerant duct system including a supplyline 33 and a return line 34, communicating with the high prmsure andlow pressure sides of refrigerant source respectively.

The refrigerant source 15 includes a conventional compressor andcondenser which operate on any one of the well-known refrigerant gasessuch as Freon. However, it is to be understood that the instantinvention may also be operated by a circulating liquid refrigerant, suchas a brine solution or ethylene glycol. Of course, where a liquidrefrigerant is circulated, the orifice between the evaporator and thesupply line is omitted.

Referring again ot Figure 4, the supply line 33 communicates via anorifice 35 with the interior of the arbor 32 at a point adjacent to themouth or lips of the vessel.

The return line 34 communicates via a collector tube 36 with theinterior of the arbor 32 at a point adjacent to the bottom of thevessel. It can be seen that if any liquid, such as lubricating oil, bedischarged through the orifice 35, that the return or collector tube 36would tend to serve as a trap. Accordingly, to preclude collection ofexcessive liquid Within the arbor 32, a small drain hole37 is providedin the collecting tube 36 to permit any. liquid to be returned and nottrapped. Preferably, the hole 37 is so sized that the principal portionof the flow enters at the free end 38. i

As in the earlier embodiment, the plates 30 and 3 are sealed together sothat they jointly define a sealed chamber 39 therebetween and within thearbor 32.

Accordingly, it can be seen that the instant embodiment includes meanspermanently and fixedly disposed and confined immediately adjacent theouter surface and within the arbor for refrigerating the arbor fromwithin, said means comprising means for conducting a fluid refrigeranttherethrough in a closed path sealed from the atmosphere fortransferring heat from the inner walls of the vessel.

The operation of the embodiment of Figure 4 is substantially identicalto that of Figure 2 and will be readily apparent.

Referring now to Figure 5, a still further embodiment of the presentinvention is disclosed. In Figure 5, there is shown a structureincluding a molded base 40 having a peripheral rim 41 which defines atray-like portion 42 jointly with the upper surface of the base 40.Projecting from the tray 42 are a plurality of arbors 43 having anexternal surface formed in complementary relation? ship to the interiorwalls of a vessel. Preferably, the material from which the base isformed, has been selected for its heat insulative properties, while thematerial from which the arbor 43 has been formed, has been selected forits heat conductive properties. According. ly, the instant structure maycomprise two pieces. As illustrated, a refrigerant coil 44 is disposedadjacent to the outer surface 45 of the arbor 43 and is permanently andfixedly disposed and confined therein for refrigerating the arbor fromwithin. The coil 44 communicates with a pair of supply and-return lines46 and 47 which communicate with the source of refrigerant.

In the instant embodiment, the coil 44 has been shown to comprise ametallic coil. However, it is to be understood that the passage definedby the coil 44 may be molded directly into the arbor 43. Thus a partingline or joint would be provided, for example through the centers of thevarious sections of coil to form, in this instance, a pair of matingfrusto-conical members having a channel portion concavely formed in atleast one of the mating surfaces. By this structure, it is relativelysimple to provide plastic for .the outer wall portion of the arbor 43which plastic has been selected for its heat conductive property.

While the embodiment of Figure 5 is shown constructed for use with acirculating refrigerant, it is to be understood that an orifice may beadded so that a gas refrigerant may be used therewith.

Although various minor modifications might be suggested by those' versedin the art, it should be understood that I wish to embody within thescope of the patent warranted hereon all such embodiments as reasonably'5 and properly come within the scope of'my contribution to the art. r

I claim as my invention a 1. Apparatus for chilling individual openmouthvessels from within comprising, in combination: a pair of platesdisposed adjacent to each other; one of said plates having an integralarbor-like formation extending from one side thereof for beingrelatively received within the vessel; the other of said platesextending into said formation in spaced relation thereto to define anexpansion chamber; said plates being sealed together about saidformation to seal said expansion chamber; and a supply line,- anexpansion orifice, and a return line defined by further formations insaid plates and communicating with said chamberfor evaporating arefrigerant gas.

2. Apparatus for chilling individual open mouth vessels from withincomprising, in combination: a pair of plates disposedadjacent'toeachother; one of said-plates having an integral arbor-likeformation extending from one side thereof for being relatively receivedwithin the vessel, said formation having an external surfacecorresponding to the interior walls of the vessel; the other of saidplates extending into said formation in spaced relation thereto todefine an expansion chamber; said plates being sealed together aboutsaid formation to seal said expansion chamber; and a supply line, anexpansion orifice, and a return line defined by further formations insaid plates and communicating with said chamber for evaporating arefrigerant gas therein immediately adjacent to the inner wallsof thevessel.

3. In a refrigeration system including an evaporator adapted forconnection to a source of refrigerant and to a refrigerant return line,said evaporator having a refrigerant expansion chamber, an expansionorifice communicating with an inlet tosaid chamber nearest the lowestlevel ,thereof forv admitting and expanding the refrigerant therein, arefrigerant gas collector communicating the return line with saidchamber at a point above the lowest point therein and having aneffective flow area substantially greater than the effective flow areaof said orifice, and outlet means disposed at the lowest level in saidchamber remote from said inlet and communicating with the return line,said outlet means having an effective flow area substantially smallerthan that of said collector, and being operative to return any liquidwhich may otherwise be trapped in said chamber.

4. Apparatus for forming frost only on the exterior of individual openmouth vessels, including in combination: an arbor so supported as to bedirected into free moisture-bearing air and adapted to extend throughthe mouth of one of the vessels while said one vessel is externallyexposed to the free air, said arbor being heat conductive and having anexternal configuration generally complemental to the interior of saidone vessel; a plurality of nodes on said arbor, each of said nodesextending therefrom in a manner so as to engage said one vessel and tospace it slightly from said one arbor; and means comprising an integralpart of said arbor and defining a passage for a mechanical refrigerant,said means being adapted to be connected to a source of refrigeranthaving a temperature below 32 F.; whereby said arbor is adapted to berefrigerated from within and therefore is adapted to refrigerate saidone externally exposed vessel from within to a temperature below 32 B;said arbor thereby being operative to effect frost formation on only theexterior of said one vessel.

5. Apparatus for forming frost only on the exterior of individual openmouth vessels, including in comb nation: a base comprisingheat-conductive material and having a heat-conductive arbor formationwhich is integral with said base, said arbor formation being so directedfrom said base as to extend therefrom into free moisture-bearing airwhile in use, said arbor formation be ng adapted to extend through themouth of one of the vessels while said one vessel is externally exposedto 6 the free a'ir',"a'rid saidarbor formation having anexternalconfiguration generally complemental "to the interior of said onevessel; means within said base defining apassage for a mechanicalrefrigerant, said means:being adapted to be connected to a source ofrefrigeranthaving a temperature below 32 F.; means confined within saidarbor formation and communicating fluidly with said passage in said baseforconducting the refrigerant into and out of said arbor'formation; andinsulative material in said base adjacent to said passage definingmeans; whereby said arbor formation is adapted to be refrigerated fromwithin and therefore is adapted to refrigerate said one externallyexposed vessel from within to a'temperature below-32 F.; said arborformation thereby being operative to effect'fros't formation on only theexterior of said onevessel. e

6. Apparatus for forming frost only on the exterior of individual openmouth vessels, including in combination: a base comprising a pair ofgenerally horizontally extending plates, said plates having portionsthereof in flatwise abutting relation against each .other, said plateshaving other portions spaced from each other and' jointly defining anelongated refrigerant passage; the up er of said plates including anintegralhollow arbor formation extending unwardy. therefrom and sodisposed as to extend into free moisture-bearing air while in use, saidarbor formation being adapted to extend through the mouth of one of thevessels while said one vessel is ex ternally exposed to the free air,and said arbor formation having an external configuration generallycomplemental to the interior of said one vessel; said plates being soformed that-said arbor formation communicates fluidly with saidrefrigerant'passage for receiving refrigerant therefrom and fordischarging refrigerant thereto; said plates being jointly adapted ateach'of the ends of said passage to be connected to a source ofrefrigerant having a temperature below 32 F.; whereby said arborformation is adapted to be refrigerated from within and therefore isadapted to refrigerate said one externally exposed vessel from within toa temperature below 32 F.; said arbor formation thereby being operativeto effect frost formation on only the exterior of said one vessel.

7. Apparatus for forming frost only on the exterior of individual openmouth vessels, including in combination: a base comprising heatconductive material; a heat conductive arbor having a heat conductiveconnection with said base and extending upwardly therefrom, said arborbeing so disposed as to extend into free moisturebearing air while inuse, said arbor being adapted to extend through the mouth of one of thevessels while said one vessel is externally exposed to the free air, andsaid arbor having an external configuration generally complemental tothe interior of said one vessel; means within said base defining anelongated refrigerant passage disposed to conduct heat away from saidarbor, said means being adapted to be connected to a source ofrefrigerant having a temperature below 32 F.; and a plurality of nodeson said arbor, each of said nodes extending therefrom to engage said onevessel and to space it slightly from said arbor; whereby said arbor isadapted to be refrigerated from within and therefore is adapted torefrigerate said one externally exposed vessel from within to atemperature below 32 F., said arbor thereby being operative to effectfrost formation on only the exterior of said one vessel.

8. Apparatus for forming frost only on the exterior of individual openmouth vessels, including in combination: a sealed hollow arbor having aninternal cavity, said arbor extending in a generally vertical directionand being so supported at its lower end that its upper end is directedinto free moisture-bearing air, said arbor being adapted to extendthrough the mouth of an inverted one of the vessels while said onevessel is externally exposed to the free air, said arbor being heatconductive and having an external configuration generally complementalto the interior of said one vessel; a refrigerant supply line; meansinterconnecting said supply line'and said cavity at a first point nearthe bottom level of saidcavity in such manner that the coldestrefrigerant will be discharged into said cavity near said lower end; arefrigerant return line; and means communicating said return line withsaid cavity at a second point near the bottom level thereof and remotefrom said first point for collecting refrigerant.

9. Apparatus for forming frost only on the exterior of individual openmouth vessels, including in combination: a base comprising a pair ofgenerally horizontally extending plates, said plates having portionsthereof in flatwise abutting relation against each other, said plateshaving other portions spaced from each other. and jointly defining asealed refrigerant cavity; the upper .of said plates including anintegral arbor formation Within which said cavity is disposed, saidarbor formation extending upwardly from the upper of said plates, andbeing so disposed as to extend into free moisture-bearing air while inuse, said arbor formation being adapted to extend through the mouth ofone of the vessels while said one vessel is externally exposed to thefree air, and said arbor formation having an external configurationgenerally complemental to the interior of said one vessel; means carriedby said base and defining refrigerant supply and return passages; saidsupply passage being adapted to be connected at one end to a source ofrefrigerant having a temperature below 32 F., and to dischargerefrigerant at its other end into said cavity at a point adjacent to themouth of the vessel; and said return passage being adapted at one end tocollect heated refrigerant from said cavity at a point adjacent to thebottom of the vessel, and to return refrigerant to 'the source at itsother end; whereby said arbor formation is adapted to be refrigeratedfrom within and therefore is adapted to re- :frigerate said oneexternally exposed vessel from within being so supported at its lowerend that its upper end is directed into free moisture-bearing air, saidarbor being adapted to extend through the mouth of an inverted one ofthe vessels while said one vessel is externally, exposed to the freeair, said arbor being heat conductive and having an externalconfiguration generally complemental to the interior of said one vessel;a refrigerant .supply line; means defining an expansion orificeinterconnecting said supply line and said cavity for admitting herefrigerant in said cavity at a first point near the bottom thereof sothat the coldest refrigerant will be .discharged into said cavity nearsaid lower end; a refrigerant return line; a collector of gaseousrefrigerant interconnecting said return line and said cavity at a secondpoint in said cavity located above said first point, said collectorhaving an effective flow area substantially greater than the effectiveflow area of said expansion orifice; and means defining an openingdisposed at the lowest point in said cavity and remotely from said firstpoint and communicating with said return line, said opening an effectiveflow area substantially smaller than that of said collector so that anyliquid which may otherwise be trapped in said cavity will be returned.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS415,980 Sachs Nov. 26, 1889 2,696,717 Lindenberg et al. Dec. 14, 19542,759,339 Kundert Aug. 21, 1956

